MOORING PROCEDURES

COMMENCEMENT OF MOORING OPERATION

 Personnel should make themselves available promptly on the quayside as the vessel berths and
not wait until the last possible moment. This assists the crew in that it indicates to them
personnel are ready. At the same time the mooring personnel should inspect the quay to ensure
that the area is safe to work.
 Contact should be established between the mooring supervisor/berthing master and the ship’s
master/pilot. Final mooring arrangement to be agreed.

HAZARDS DURING THE MOORING OPERATION

 Beware of heaving lines being thrown or projected across the dock which may include a
weighted tail end consisting of a ‘monkey’s fist’ or other suitably weighted object. A blow on an
unprotected head with one of these can kill or seriously harm. Even the small sand-filled canvas
bags can be lethal if they have been soaked in water.

WEAR YOUR SAFETY HELMET STAY ALERT AT ALL TIMES

 If the heaving line is thrown and the weighted end is deemed to be of a dangerous weight it
should be cut off and confiscated with a full report given to the marine department who can
take action against the vessel.
 When receiving mooring ropes or heaving lines stand at least 1m back from the quay edge.
 As mooring ropes are heaved ashore ensure sufficient rope is heaved onto the quay before
dragging towards the bollard to reduce the amount of weight being hauled.

MOORING TEAMS WOULD ONLY EVER ACCEPT ONE MOORING ROPE AT A TIME. MOORING ROPES
ARE HEAVY ESPECIALLY WHEN WET.

 Be aware of worn ropes and report any defects straight away to the supervisor so that the
marine department can be later informed. A worn rope is more likely to part when under load.

 When accepting a mooring rope, beware of the vessel paying out additional mooring rope too
quickly which adds extra weight to the mooring rope already being heaved ashore or could
suddenly drag the mooring team unexpectedly towards the quay edge.
 Ensure that when hauling ropes ashore you are not walking into danger. BE AWARE of what is
around you.
 If an excessive load comes onto the rope as it is being handled, LET IT GO, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
HOLD IT BACK. Warn all team members immediately of the need to let go the mooring rope in
unison.
 Should any line become sucked into thrusters or the ship’s propeller, tension will come on very
quickly and the line should be immediately dropped to prevent any personnel being dragged
into the water.
 NEVER hold any rope by the crown of the eye when placing
the eye on a bollard or hook, always hold the rope by the
side of the eye or the standing part and throw the eye over
the bollard or hook. Never let your hand or fingers get
between the rope and the bollard (see picture right)
 When the eye of the rope has been placed on the bollard,
tell the person or persons holding the weight to “let go”.
Ensure messenger / tail and heaving lines are clear of
working area near bollard.
 NEVER allow yourself or others to get trapped between a
rope and a fixed object .
 NEVER stand in or allow others to stand in a loop or ‘bight” of
any rope.

 Once a mooring rope has been placed on the bollard keep well clear while the ships heaves the
line taught. Be aware that should the line part it can whiplash anywhere across the dock causing
severe injury or even death.
 Sudden tension applied to a rope either by ship’s winch or movement of the ship by surging or
listing can cause the rope to snake without parting. Anyone in the near vicinity i.e. putting
another rope on the same bollard, can be dealt a severe blow.
 Wire ropes are notorious for spragging (see image right) where broken fibres protrude out along
the wire rope but in particular, areas susceptible to the most spagging occurs at the eye and at
the splice. These sprags can inflict injuries and can even penetrate gloves.
 Never let a wire rope slide through your hand and never slide your hand along the rope. DO NOT
WEAR RINGS. Rings being caught in sprags have caused serious hand injuries. Any badly
stranded or rusted rope should be refused. Notify the Berthing Master or Marine operative who
will inform the ship’s Deck officer.
BOLLARD PRACTICES

 INSET BOLLARDS are also called storm bollards which are set a way into the quay to increase
their pull capacity. These are found on the Landing Stage and at LCT where they are used to hold
ships alongside during high winds. They can also be used for normal mooring practices. Care
should be taken when doing this particularly if there is to be traffic moving under the lines. If
this is the case a flag or other suitable marker should be placed on the line to warn drivers of the
height restriction. As shown below

Other Types of Bollards

 Single Bitt Bollard Capable of taking multiple ropes. A slip is often included to prevent lines
slipping off. Due care is needed with steep lines that they don’t come off when heaved tight.
Additional turns round the bollard may sometime minimize the chance of this.
 TEE BOLLARDS These are small but capable of withstanding large loads. They can only take one
or two mooring lines at any one time. Usually cast into the quay
 All personnel operating in the area of mooring ropes should be aware of the associated dangers
 If only one mooring rope is to be placed on the bollard then the ‘standard’ or ‘Fully Cocked’
configuration can be used
 If there is another ship to berth on an adjacent berth requiring to use the same bollard than
lines should be half cocked.
 If needed ‘dip’ the second line onto a bollard when placing the eye of a second mooring line
over a bollard. The eye of the second line is brought up through the eye of the first line. This
prevents the lines becoming jammed and helps with the release of the line.